Molson Hart

“Go start a company! You can do it!” No, it’s total BS. We hear it and say it every time someone mentions starting a business. But that’s often a disservice to the listener. Why? 1/x

To explain: Our heroes were once military, presidents, scientists, astronauts. Now they’re the people who founded co's. Our culture has created celebrities of Bezos, Gates, & Buffett. Really? (The BS notion today’s heroes are mostly white men is another topic.) 2/x

It’s so pervasive that I didn’t notice this weird dynamic either. It affected my help to aspiring entrepreneurs. I’d hear their desire to be a founder. I’d cheer them! “Yes, you can start a business!” 3/x

Yet many never did anything except talk. (Or worse, wait for mentors to tell them what to do). It was very frustrating and confusing as a mentor/coach. “Surely this life is for me? Why won’t these others just do it?” I thought. It all clicked when two things happened. 4/x

One, I started using personality assessments. Things like DISC, Culture Index, Strengths Finder, etc. All agree only some people are wired to stomach risk, pressure, leadership, and uncertainty. Others cannot. Just who they are. Hmm.. so people aren't all like me? 5/x

Two, I started asking aspiring Founders why they’re starting a co? Then I watched. Those who went nowhere were founders because of external reasons. It might be trendy, their friends did it or Dad would be proud. Founding a company was someone else’s idea *for* them! 6/x

The ones who made progress were those who couldn’t imagine any other way to live. They’d look at me like I’d asked me the most insane question in the world. “You mean like not be an entrepreneur?! Are you crazy?” They couldn’t imagine living any other life. 7/x